Lightning hits house as storms hit Scotland

SHÂN ROSS

A house has been struck by lightning and several others flooded after torrential downpours hit Scotland.

The heavy rainfall led to travel disruption with flooding affecting some routes in the Scottish Borders.

Firefighters were called to a property at Beveridge Avenue, Mayfield, Midlothian, this afternoon.

No-one was injured but the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said five appliances dealt with roof damage.

In Penicuik, flash flooding led to firefighters being called to homes to pump water out. Schools and a leisure centre were also affected.

Scottish Borders Council reported one lane of the A68 being closed due to a damaged culvert north of Camptown. Torrential rain also led to the B6352 between Kirk Yetholm and the Scotland-England border being closed.

In Northern Ireland a man and two young children were badly injured by a lightning strike at Lisburn in County Antrim.

Meanwhile around 6,000 homes were left without power in the Irish midlands.

London Fire Brigade received over 100 flood-related calls, and attended incidents thought to have been caused by lightning, including trees, hoardings and telegraph poles set alight.